What if the Parents & family object getting initiation (diksha) now?
“Hare krishna prabhuji.. i beleive a lot in kc n i chant daily more than 16 rounds n m pure vegeterian… i want 2 take Harinam diksha bt my family wont allow.. wht 2 do.. they dont allow me 2 keep ekadashi as they say unmarried girls dont keep thz fast”
REPLY:
Nice to know that you are chanting 16 rounds and like to take Hari Nam initiation. This is not a big issue. If the Parents & family object getting initiation (diksha) now, just talk to your parents frankly and assure them that you will effectively manage all the household works, studies and your earning job perfectly even after taking Hari Nam Initiation.
(Courses and Exams for initiations (Diksha) in ISKCON for different levels! READ HERE!)
You can give this assurance even thru some influential elders among your relatives. Or, follow the other tips given in this Post.
In general, the parents fear when their unmarried children talk of advancing in devotion.
Usually, the parents have a fear that their children will become like sanyasis if they take initiation and they will not love them as before. In fact, they fear that their child may go “out of their hands” after initiation. They also fear for some rules to be followed after initiation that speaks about controlled mating after marriage just for begetting children. They fear because the girl will suffer if her husband does not co-operate with her devotion.
Thus, there are many reasons for the parents to fear. The life in this world is always a constant fight between maya and Krishna Consciousness. If you try to adopt Krishna Consciousness seriously, the people attached with maya will always object it. This is not new. We have to face these things in our spiritual life.
There is only one solution for this: Initiation does not require a devotee to quit his job, or to live in temples compulsorily or to quit marriage, etc. It just advises certain regulations and discipline in our every activity. That’s all.
(Is Brahmana Diksha (Second Initiation) Compulsory for all? READ HERE!)
If we like to go to Krishna, we must purify ourselves, because Krishna is pure. So, we can not associate with Him with our impurity of material attachments. So, we need to purify us. In this process, a guru can help us. So, we surrender to him. That’s all. Guru accepts your karma mercifully and purifies you. Then, he guides you either directly or indirectly to perform Krishna Consciousness consistently.
So, your parents need not fear for your taking initiation. However, there is an important thing to remember: If you take initiation, it is always better to marry a devotee boy so that all your spiritual activities can be continued further.
Another thing is, a guru will give you initiation only if your parents agree. If they object, he will not give. So, request your temple president or temple manager (whoever it may be) to talk to your parents in person and explain them the points I have mentioned above.
In case, your parents do not allow you to take initiation after every efforts, if you have attained the age for marriage , first marry a devotee boy and then take initiation, because, after marriage, the consent of your husband is enough.
(BENEFITS OF DIKSHA (INITIATION) AND HOW IT WORKS! EXAMPLES! READ HERE!)
Just develop your desire to have a guru for your spiritual development. Krishna will definitely fulfill it in appropriate time.
What to do till that?
Till you get initiation from a guru, read Srila Prabhupada’s books and be in touch with him through his books. Till you get initiation, follow the instructions of Srila Prabhupada and other siksha guru(s) whom Krishna shows you to learn devotion. In fact, you have to fully honour your siksha guru(s) & Srila Prabhupada even after your initiation.
Pray to Krishna to remove the barrier in getting your desired guru. He will definitely do that.
(Is it compulsory to avoid physical relations not for child after initiation? READ HERE!)
TAIL PIECE:
Initiation should not be taken just because others in your temple take. An initiated devotee should genuinely follow the instructions of his/ her guru. You must evaluate yourself whether you can follow all the rules stipulated by your guru.
So, before taking initiation, get the instruction manual for initiated disciples prepared and supplied by every guru in their websites or disciple communities. Better to discuss with them. Though the rules are common, it is better to read the manual in advance well. After reading them, if you are confident that you can follow them, then take initiation. Otherwise, wait for some more time and then take after making yourself0 ready for that. I have added this exdtra advcie because, a (small) section of disciples fail to follow the vows they took while taking initiation. That is not advisable. Since you take the vows before your guru and agni, you must try your level best to follow those vows.
Though a devotee takes initiation, only if he/ she follows the saadhanas properly, he/ she can go back to Krishna. That means, Just taking formal initiation and being casual will not help to achieve our goal.
Take the print out of this counselling and show to the parents. Take the print outs of similar counselling posts in our site and show to your parents.
Hope these tips have helped you if your Parents & Family object getting initiation (diksha) now.
(INITIATION (DIKSHA) VOWS & CHALLENGES IN FOLLOWING THEM! READ HERE!)